State Assistance

• Financial help with daycare expenses is often provided through your local county at the Department of Health and Human Services office. Parents need to be employed or enrolled in school full time in order to receive financial assistance for child care costs. Each state provides specific requirements for the child care assistance program, including eligibility based on family size and gross monthly income. Parents or guardians normally pay a portion of the day care costs, based on their income. Some states limit the financial help with daycare to one year and require that you go with a state certified day care provider for services.
  
  

United Way

• If you receive a denial letter from the state program for financial help for daycare because your income is too high, you may be eligible for a child care subsidy through the United Way. One of the limitations of the United Way subsidy is that the family must use a center funded by the United Way, which may limit the ability to receive services if you do not live near a United Way center or reside in a rural area.
  
  

Child Care Facilities

• Many child care facilities offer assistance with the daycare costs by working with your family on a sliding scale, providing scholarships, or offering flexible payment options. It is important to speak with your child's day care provider about what assistance might be available and how to apply. Complete financial documentation of income and expenses might be necessary before you can receive assistance through a child care facility.
  
  

Colleges

• Many colleges that offer early childhood certificates or education programs have child care programs on campus. These programs often provide scholarships to low-income families or tuition assistance. It offers an opportunity for education for early childhood educators and provides families to provide daycare for their children. Unfortunately, many spots in college or university programs fill up quickly, so it is often difficult to get your child in late in the year.